Differentiating Place Attachment Dimensions Among Proximate and Distant Visitors to Two Water-Based Recreation Areas

Abstract

People–place studies suggest that groups have varied bonds to a resource and that these bonds likely vary by residential proximity; however, previous research that explored these differences by residence treated place attachment as unidimensional. Therefore, this study differentiates two place attachment dimensions (place identity and place dependence) among distant (nonresidents) and proximate (community residents) visitors to two water-based resources in Illinois. Findings reveal both similarities and differences among visitors. Although proximate and distant visitors exhibited overall similar patterns in the place attachment scales, results delineate place identity as the differentiating place attachment dimension for this resource. Specifically, place identity was stronger and significantly different for proximate versus distant visitors. Findings suggest that recreation settings offer proximate as well as distant visitors the opportunity to develop meanings with a place and highlight the importance of examining differences in place attachment dimensions among proximate and distant visitors.

Keywords:

• distant and proximate visitors
• place dependence
• place identity

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers social science research unit, the St. Louis, MO, staff, and the managers and staff at Lake Carlyle and Shelbyville Lake. We also thank the many individuals who took the time to respond to the visitor and community surveys. This research would not have been possible without their support.

Notes

*Significant at p < .05.

^{a , b} Measured on a 5-point Likert scale where 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree.

*Significant at p < .05.

^{a , b} Measured on a 5-point Likert scale where 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree.

*Significant at p < .05.

^{a , b} Measured on a 5-point Likert scale where 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree.